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T20 World Cup Updates: Kishan departs; India 2 down

 Sat, 07 February 2026
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19:33

Kishan departs; India 2 down

India 45-2 (5.2 ovs) vs USA | SCORECARD

Van Schalkwyk continues and Tilak mistimes one to mid-off and gets a single. 

Out! Kishan perishes, caught by Milind Kumar. He hits one flat but the ball goes straight to the fielder at mid-off. 

Kishan departs for 20 from 16 with a boundary and two sixes.

Suryakumar Yadav comes to the crease.
19:29

Kishan, Tilak on the attack

India 44-1 (4 ovs) vs USA | SCORECARD

Shadley van Schalkwyk comes into the attack and Kishan attempts a front-foot push but decides to defend the slower delivery. 

A single through deep cover gets him off the strike. 

Four!  Length delivery and Tilak opens the front leg and goes for a big hit but the timing is not there as the ball rolls down to the boundary beating the fielder at wide of square leg. 

A dot later, Tilak gets a couple off another mishit, this time through mid-off.

Dropped! Tilak hits a length delivery straight back at the bowler, but van Schalkwyk was in no position to catch it.

Eight runs came off the over. 


Ali Khan is back into the attack and Tilak drills the first delivery to mid-on a misfield allows him to take a single. 

A dot later, Kishan gets a reprieve! ! Full and wide off off stump and Kishan tries to go bit but ends up slicing it to the fielder at backward point who spills it. An easy chance indeed! 

A dot later, Kishan drills a low full toss hard through cover for a boundary. 

Six! Flicked in style. 11 runs came off the fifth over. 
19:20

Kishan, Tilak steady India

India 25-1 (3 ovs) vs USA | SCORECARD

Tilak Varma is the new man in and he starts off with three dot balls. 

He gets off the mark off by tapping a fullish delivery to mid-on. 

Just two runs came off the successful over. Excellent start by USA. 


Saurabh Netravalkar with his second over and Tilak Varma dance down and smashes the first delivery, an outswinger, high and straight for a six! 

Four! Netravalkar sends one down the leg and Tilak smartly glances it to the fine leg boundary. 

Follows it up with a single to cover point. 

Kishan then pushes one to cover and gets off the strike before Tilak mistimes one to cover for no run. 

Four! In the air but Tilak manages to clear the mid-on fielder with a lofted hit.  
19:10

Abhishek falls for golden duck

India 8-1 (1.2 ovs) vs USASCORECARD

Abhishek Sharma and Ishan Kishan, who replaced an out-of-form Sanju Samson, are out in the middle. 

Saurabh Netravalkar opens the bowling for USA. Kishan is on strike and he powerfully drives the first ball, an outswinger, with excellent timing but the fielder at backward point pulls off a brilliant save. No runs on offer. 

After two more dots, Kishan comes down the track but doesn't times it well as the ball goes straight to the mid-off fielder. 

Six! Kishan gets off the mark in style, slogs sweeps one over the backward square leg. 

A single to short fine leg ends the over. Seven runs came off it.


Ali Khan operates from the other end and Kishan guides the first delivery to third man and gets a single. 

Abhishek is on strike for the first time and he is out! Golden duck! 

Abhishek comes down and goes hard on a shortish delivery but holes out to Sanjay Krishnamurthi at deep cover. 
18:53

Kishan to open with Abhishek

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Welcome to the coverage of the Match No. 3 of the T20 World Cup between India and the United States at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai.

The US have won the toss and they have elected to bowl first.

Sanju Samson has been left out of Indias playing XI and Ishan Kishan, who has been in blistering form, takes his place as Abhishek Sharma's opening partner. 

With two championships (2007, 2024) and one runners-up finish (2014), the Men in Blue sit among the most successful teams in T20 World Cup history.

Across nine editions from 2007 to 2024, India have played 53 matches in T20 World Cups, winning 35 and losing 15, with two no-results and one Super Over win a win rate that underscores their competitiveness on the world stage.

Have a look at the Playing XIs:

India: Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper), Abhishek Sharma, Tilak Varma, Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Rinku Singh, Hardik Pandya, Shivam Dube, Axar Patel, Varun Chakaravarthy, Arshdeep Singh, Mohammed Siraj.

US: Andries Gous (Wicketkeeper), Saiteja Mukkamalla, Monank Patel (Captain), Milind Kumar, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Shubham Ranjane, Harmeet Singh, Mohammad Mohsin, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Ali Khan, Saurabh Netravalkar.
18:42

USA elect to bowl vs India; Bumrah out

The US have won the toss and they have elected to bowl first in their T20 World Cup match against India at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. 

 We are going to bowl first. Looks a good surface. High-scoring ground, so we will look to hunt it down. World Cup is one of the biggest stages for us. Lot of expectations from the US so we will look to do well. We played a couple of warm-up games at the DY Patil and we had a good run there, US skipper Monank Patel said after opting to field first.

India skipper Suryakumar Yadav said: We were looking to bat first. Wicket looks good, there is wind around so we don't expect dew. It's alive even before the game starts and I am sure it is going to be even better. We have Washi missing out, Sanju missing out. Unfortunately, Bumrah is not well so Siraj is playing.
18:39

USA elect to bowl vs India; Bumrah out

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In the third match of the opening day, West Indies captain Monank Patel has won the toss and elected to bowl against India in Mumbai on Saturday.

In a blow for India, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah has been ruled out of the match, as Mohammed Siraj comes into the playing XI.
18:36

West Indies overpower Scotland


Scotland 147-all out (18.5 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Scotland need 50 from the last three overs with just one wicket in hand. Joseph ends his spell with a tight over, conceding just three singles in the 18th over, to finish with excellent figures of 1/26 in four overs.

Holder to bowl the 19th over. Watt lofts the first ball over mid-off for a four and again hits the next ball back over the bowler's head for another boundary.

Shepherd finishes off the match as he takes the catch to dismiss Mark Watt off the bowling of Holder.

Scotland are bowled out for 147 in 18.5 overs as West Indies win by 35 runs to start off their World Cup campaign in great style.

Hetmyer starred with the bat, smashing 64 from 36 balls, before Shepherd claimed a hat-trick to finish with five wickets.
18:26

Shepherd takes hat-trick; WI set for win

Romario Shepherd
Romario Shepherd

Scotland 133-9 (17 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Cross gets the much-needed boundary for Scotland smashing Joseph straight down the ground for a four. But the pacer does well to give away just seven runs from the 16th over.

Shepherd finishes off Scotland's hopes with two wickets in the 17th over.

Cross guides the pacer straight into the hands of the fielder at point to be dismissed for 11.

He strikes again off the next as Leask miscues the attempted lofted shot and is taken at long-on for a duck.

Shepherd on a hat-trick!

The West Indian completes the hat-trick of 2026 T20 World Cup as he bowls Davidson with a fantastic incoming delivery for a duck.

West Indies on their way to start off the tournament with an emphatic victory.

Shepherd takes his fourth wicket of the over as Sharif is caught at mid-off from the last ball of the over.

That four-wicket burst helps Shepherd complete his five-wicket haul, with figures of 5/20 from three overs.
18:16

Scotland 5 down; West Indies in control


Scotland 125-5 (15 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Veteran Holder dents Scotland's hopes with the key wicket of their captain Berrington, who throws his bat at a wide yorker but is caught in the deep after a handy knock of 42 from 24 balls.

Holder becomes the first West Indies bowler to complete 100 wickets in T20 Internationals.

Matthew Cross survives a close chance. He is struggling to make the crease for the second run but wicketkeeper Hope after collecting the ball fails to dislodge the bails after gathering the ball in front of the stumps.

Superb over from Holder, as he concedes just five runs while claiming a big wicket to dent Scotland's hopes.

Motie leaves Scotland in further strife as he gets Bruce leg before wicket after he missed the sweep shot.

That looked quite plumb but Bruce decides to take a chance with the review. But the umpire's decision stays as the ball has struck in front and going on to hit the stumps.

Scotland slip to 122/5 in the 15th over.

Scotland need 58 from the last five overs for victory.
17:57

Berrington-Bruce get Scotland back on track


Scotland 114-3 (13 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Spinner Hosein back into the attack. Berrington swings the first ball over square leg for a six and sweeps the next for a boundary past short fine leg.

A single each to Berrington and Bruce before the former swats the fifth ball wide of long-on for two runs, to get 14 from the 11th over.

Shepherd back into the attack. Bruce hits the first ball in the gap through the covers for two runs before he swings the next over midwicket for a six.

Berrington cuts the short wide delivery from Shepherd behind point for a four.

15 runs from the over takes Scotland past 100 in the 12th over.

Motie back into the attack. Bruce, on 23, gets a lifeline as Bruce puts down a catch diving forward in the covers.

Slightly short from Motie as Bruce takes full toll to pull it over midwicket for a six. Berrington makes room to smash the spinner's last ball uppishly past covers for two runs.

Scotland back in the hunt as they recover to 114/3 in 13 overs, needing another 69 from seven overs for victory, with the asking rate dropping under 10.

Berrington has been instrumental in the recovery, smashing 42 from 23 balls, while Bruce has stroked 33 from 24 balls, with the duo putting on 77 from 44 balls for the fourth wicket.
17:43

Scotland lose early wickets; WI in control


Scotland 72-3 (10 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Berrington makes room to hit Motie through the off-side but gets a thick outside edge which flies through the vacant slip region for a four.

There is an appeal for a return catch off the last ball as Motie dived forward to pouch the ball after Bruce hit it back uppishly.

The umpires ask the TV umpire to have a look at the replays which confirms that the ball had bounced before it was caught.

Shamar Joseph nearly bowls another tidy over. However, he oversteps off the last ball, with Bruce inside edging the last ball past short fine leg for a four.

Scotland are struggling on 72/3 in 10 overs at the halfway mark, needing another 111 from the last 10 overs for victory.
17:35

Scotland lose early wickets; West Indies in control

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Scotland 55-3 (8 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Stunning catch from Hetmyer at deep square leg to send back Munsey for 19.

The left-hander had pulled Shamar Joseph square on the leg side as Hetmyer ran to his right and dived full length to come up with a sensational catch.

Scotland slip further to be reduced to 37/3 in the sixth over.

Good start from Joseph as he concedes just five runs in the last over of Powerplay.

Left-arm spinner Gudakesh Motie comes into the attack. Tom Bruce and Richie Berrington easily pick singles off the spinner's first over.

Spin from both ends as Akeal Hosein comes into the attack from the other end. Berrington immediately targets the spinner, lofting the first ball over long-off for a six.

Singles off the next four balls before Berrington hits the last ball over the covers for two runs to get 12 from the over.
17:17

Scotland lose early wickets; WI in control


Scotland 33-2 (5 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

Stand and deliver from McMullen as he swats Forde wide of long-on for a six in the third over.

In the next over, Munsey plays a beautiful drive through the covers off a wide half-volley from Holder for a four to get nine runs from the fourth over.

Change in the bowling as Romario Shepherd replaces Forde. He strikes in his first over with the wicket of McMullen, who walks across a long way to play the scoop shot but ends up hitting the ball straight into the leg-stump to be bowled for 14.

Scotland in trouble on 31/2 in the fifth over.

West Indies also struggled to get going in the Powerplay before Shimron Hetmyer rescued them with his attacking knock in the middle overs.

Scotland will also need someone to play a blinder in the middle overs to get them back on course in his huge run chase.
17:01

Holder strikes; Scotland lose early wicket


Scotland 11-1 (2 ovs) vs WI 182-5 | SCORECARD

George Munsey and Michael Jones are the two openers for Scotland, who will need a few boundaries in the Powerplay to keep them on course to chase the huge total.

Matthew Forde starts with a tidy over, giving away just six runs in the first over as Munsey played a nice flick off his pads for the first four of the over.

Jason Holder strikes with the early wicket for West Indies. Jones pulls the short ball straight into the hands of Rutherford at deep square leg to be dismissed for 1.

Brandon McMullen uses his feet against Holder, driving the pacer straight down the ground past mid-off for a four.
16:40

Hetmyer's 36-ball 64 powers West Indies to 182 vs Scotland

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WI 182-5 (20 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Currie strikes with the first ball of the final over, Rutherford looks to hit the pacer over the off-side but mistimes the slower ball. The left-hander holes out a simple catch to the fielder at deep extra cover to be dismissed for 26 from 13 balls.

Matthew Forde swings and misses before he takes a single to get off the mark.

Excellent bowling from Currie as he bowls a full wide slower ball and Romario Shepherd looking to slog it across the line is beaten for pace.

The next ball is again a slower ball but a full toss and Shepherd despite getting it off the toe end, manages to clear the straight boundary for a six.

The last ball is a slower short ball and Shepherd again swings and misses with Currie doing well to concede just seven runs from the last over, including three dot balls.

West Indies recover to post a huge 182/5 in their 20 overs.
16:34

Shimron Hetmyer departs for 36-ball 64


WI 175-4 (19 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Hetmyer pulls Leask over midwicket for a four and takes one next ball. Sherfane Rutherford guides the spinner behind point for a boundary and plays a beautiful inside out shot off the last ball for the third four of the over.

West Indies go past the 150-run mark, in the 17th over.

Hetmyer has smashed his way to 59 from 30 balls but West Indies will need to stay till the end and take them close to 200.

Watt to bowl the 18th over. Rutherford slashes the second ball past point for a four before he plays a beautiful inside out shot over the covers for a six.

Pacer Sharif to bowl the penultimate over. Hetmyer swings the full toss through midwicket for two runs before he mistimes the slower ball back to the bowler.

Hetmyer takes a single on the off-side and Rutherford slaps the fourth ball through the off-side for a four.

Sharif strikes with the key wicket of Hetmyer from the last ball of the over. He heaves the high full toss across the line but is brilliantly caught by Brandon McMullen, who runs to his left at long-on and puts in the dive to complete a stunning catch inches from the ropes.

Hetmyer walks back after an entertaining 64 from 36 balls, with six sixes and two fours, as he played a crucial role to revive West Indies after a slow start.
16:20

Hetmyer hits 22-ball fifty to revive Windies


WI 140-2 (16 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Hetmyer is looking in ominous touch. This time he launches spinner Davidson inside out over the covers for a six to race to his fifty in grand style, from just 22 balls.

If these two stay till the end, West Indies look set for a total around the 190-200 mark.

Hetmyer, especially, is timing the ball quite well and has hit half a dozen sixes already to bring West Indies back.

Spinner Leask back into the attack. Powell swings a full toss into the stands over midwicket to end the 15th over with a six.

Currie brings Scotland some relief with the wicket of Powell, who fails to get hold of the pull shot and is caught at deep square leg after scoring 24 from 14 balls.
16:02

Hetmyer's attack revives West Indies

Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer

WI 115-2 (13 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Hetmyer on the charge as he swings Leask wide of long-on for a six. Rovman Powell doesn't take time much to get going as he uses his feet to loft the spinner over the leg side for the second six of the over, which goes for 15 runs.

Left-arm spinner Watt is back into the attack. Hetmyer top edges the slog sweep as the ball goes very high but the ball falls safely in the empty spaces on the leg side for two runs.

The next ball is in the hitting zone as Hetmyer perfectly despatches it over midwicket for a six.

He sweeps the next ball high into the stands over square leg for back to back sixes as West Indies stage a superb counter-attack to fight back after  a slow start.

He punches the last ball square on the off-side for a couple of runs to get 18 from the over.

Powell and Hetmyer have put on 41 from 16 balls to revive West Indies.

Pacer Sharif gets some punishment from Hetmyer. The West Indies left-hander pulls the second ball powerfully over square leg for his fifth six.

He drives the next through the covers for a four to raise the 50-run stand for the third wicket from just 19 balls.

West Indies have recovered to 115/2 in 13 overs, with 49 coming from the last three overs.

Hetmyer has stroked his way to 44 from 20 balls, while Powell made 13 from six balls.
15:48

Hope, King perish; West Indies in trouble


WI 66-2 (10 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Off-spinner Michael Leask strikes with the first ball of his spell. Bowling from round the wicket, Leask gets the ball to skid straight on as Hope misses the flick and is bowled for a sedate 19 from 22 balls.

New batter Shimron Hetmyer has a close shave as he top edges the pull shot but it falls safely as the bowler runs back.

Just three runs from the ninth over including a leg bye.

Oliver Davidson leaves West Indies in trouble with the wicket of King in the next over. The right-hander is caught by George Munsey for 35 as West Indies slip to 58/2 in the 10th over.

Hetmyer breaks the shackles as he hammers spinner Davidson over long-off for a six.

West Indies struggling on 66/2 in 10 overs at the halfway mark.
15:36

West Indies off to a slow start vs Scotland

Shai Hope
Shai Hope

WI 54-0 (8 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Just two runs from Watt's second over as West Indies struggle to 33 for no loss in six overs in the Powerplay.

They scored only four boundaries in the six overs of Powerplay.

This has been a slow start by the West Indies, with both Hope and King scoring just 16 runs, with two boundaries each.

Change of tactics from the West Indies after the drinks break. King uses his feet and makes room to slam Sharif's first ball back over his head for a straight six.

The next ball is full and wide as King plays a nice drive through the covers for a four and cuts the next ball for the same result.

Singles off the last three balls takes West Indies past the 50-run mark, in the seventh over.

Left-arm spinner Oliver Davidson makes a solid start conceding just four runs.
15:22

Scotland bowlers keep Windies in check


WI 31-0 (5 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Left-arm spinner Mark Watt makes a tidy start, conceding two runs from the first four balls. Hope makes most of a loose ball, cutting the short delivery through the off-side for a four.

Left-arm pacer Currie continues. King has a big swing across the line but gets it off the outside half for one to deep point.

A single to Hope before King again attempts a big swing but gets it off the outside edge, this time for a boundary to thirdman.

Pacer Safyaan Sharif comes into the attack. He makes a good start, beating King through the gate with a superb incoming delivery as the ball passes over the stumps.

He concedes just four runs in his first over as West Indies struggle to 31 for no loss in five overs.
15:10

Scotland elect to bowl vs Windies


WI 14-0 (2 ovs) vs Scotland | SCORECARD

Shai Hope and Brandon King are the two openers for West Indies, who will look to make most of the Powerplay.

King makes a confident start, playing a glorious drive through the covers off the first ball for a four to get off the mark.

He takes a single off the third ball and Hope gets off the mark with one off the next.

King miscues the last ball uppishly but clear of the fielders on the off-side for another single to get seven from the opening over.

Left-arm pacer Brad Currie from the other end. He starts with a wide before King picks a quick single off the second ball.

Hope opens the face of the bat and guides the fifth ball with soft hands fine on the off-side for a four and cuts the last ball for one.
14:51

Scotland elect to bowl vs WI; Pakistan win thriller

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Welcome to the coverage of the second T20 World Cup match between Scotland and West Indies at Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Saturday.

Scotland captain Richie Berrrington has won the toss and elected to bowl against West Indies.

West Indies are two-time champions having won the title in 2012 and 2016.

Scotland, on the other hand, have entered the tournament as a last minute replacement for Bangladesh, who refused to travel to India.

In the first match of the World Cup, Pakistan registered a nervy three-wicket victory against the Netherlands in a thrilling finish.

Check out the playing XIs:

West Indies: Shai Hope (Captain, w/k), Brandon King, Shimron Hetmyer, Rovman Powell, Sherfane Rutherford, Jason Holder, Romario Shepherd, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Forde, Gudakesh Motie, Shamar Joseph.

Scotland: Richie Berrington (Captain), George Munsey, Matthew Cross (w/k), Brandon McMullen, Michael Jones, Tom Bruce, Michael Leask, Oliver Davidson, Mark Watt, Brad Currie, Safyaan Sharif.
14:28

Faheem finishes in style as Pakistan win thriller

Pakistan 148-7 (19.3 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Bas de Leede had the responsibility of defending the final over with Pakistan on the brink. Shaheen Afridi nudged a single to hand Faheem Ashraf the strike. Faheem blocked the next ball, leaving Pakistan needing four off four. Then came the finish. A high full toss in his arc -- Faheem didn't miss. He smashed it wide of cover, the ball racing to the boundary as the Pakistan dugout erupted. Game over. 

Pakistan sealed a tense thriller by three wickets, with Faheem's late blitz sealing a dramatic win.
14:25

24-run over! Faheem powers Pakistan

Pakistan 143-7 (19 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Paul van Meekeren delivered a tidy 18th over, conceding just four runs as Pakistan inched forward to 119/7, still under mounting pressure. Then came the momentum shift. Logan van Beek took the ball, but Faheem Ashraf went on the attack straight away, launching the first ball for a towering six. A chance went down next -- Max O'Dowd sprinted to his right but spilled the catch, allowing Faheem to come back for two. The miss proved costly. Faheem made the Netherlands pay. Another six sailed into the stands, followed by a third brutal hit off the slower ball. Suddenly, the equation tumbled rapidly. He capped the over with a boundary, turning the game on its head. Van Beek's over leaked 24 runs as Pakistan surged to 143/7 after 19 overs. 

What looked like a tense chase moments ago was now within touching distance -- just 5 needed off the final 6 balls.
14:15

Pak 7 down, Netherlands sense a big upset

Pakistan 115-7 (17 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Aryan Dutt kept things tight on his return, conceding just four runs as Pakistan moved to 111/5 after 15 overs, the required rate steadily climbing. Kyle Klein then tightened the screws further.

Nawaz and Shadab could only rotate strike before Nawaz tried to force the pace, skewing one high into the air. Skipper Scott Edwards pouched the catch safely, sending Nawaz back for 6 off 13. Just three runs and a wicket came from the over as Pakistan slipped to 114/6 after 16. 

With 34 needed from 24 balls, the pressure was firmly on. Logan van Beek delivered the next big moment. Shadab flicked down the leg side and Edwards went up instantly. The batter reviewed, but UltraEdge showed a clear spike. OUT. 

Edwards' sharp take and the successful review sparked wild celebrations, and suddenly Pakistan were seven down, with the Netherlands sensing a famous upset.
14:01

Babar departs, Pakistan 5 down

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Pakistan 107-5 (14 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Roelof van der Merwe kept the squeeze on as Babar Azam and Shadab Khan could only rotate the strike with singles. The pressure built quickly -- and it told. Wicket! Babar tried to break the shackles by going aerial but failed to clear the boundary, offering a simple catch. The Pakistan skipper fell for a scratchy 15 off 18 balls, a huge blow in the chase. 

Nawaz walked in, but it was another quiet over overall -- just four runs and a wicket -- leaving Pakistan struggling at 102/5 after 13 overs. 

Paul van Meekeren continued his probing spell from the other end, conceding only a few singles as the Dutch kept things tight. There was a brief scare when he pulled up clutching his hamstring, forcing the physio out and prompting a drinks break. But the pacer returned to complete the over. Nawaz swung hard and missed before nudging a single to close it out. Only five came off the over as the asking rate crept up. 

After 14 overs, Pakistan were 107/5, needing 41 runs from 36 balls with just four wickets in hand, and the Netherlands firmly in the contest.
13:54

Pakistan lose 2 quick wickets

Pakistan 98-4 (12 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Roelof van der Merwe kept things tight with a disciplined over, conceding just five runs as Pakistan moved to 81/2 after nine overs. 

The runs kept coming steadily, with nine added in the next over to take them to 90/2 at the halfway mark. Bas de Leede followed with a tidy spell as well, giving away only eight, with Pakistan inching to 98/2 after 11 overs. 

Just as Farhan looked set to anchor the chase, the Netherlands struck with a moment of brilliance in the field. Van der Merwe pulled off a stunning diving catch, sliding across to his right to hold on, while Paul van Meekeren bunny-hopped in celebration. Farhan's fluent knock ended at 47 off 31 balls, a crucial breakthrough that tightened the game. 

Pakistan now need 50 runs from 53 balls.

The pressure mounted immediately. New batter Usman Khan could only defend cautiously before disaster struck -- bowled! Chopped on. Van Meekeren picked up his second wicket of the over, sparking fresh belief in the Dutch camp.

Suddenly, the chase tightened, with Pakistan wobbling and the Netherlands sensing an opening.
13:18

Dutt strikes again! Pak captain falls for 12

Pakistan 61-2 (6 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Kyle Klein was introduced into the attack, but Pakistan kept the momentum going. Sahibzada Farhan clipped one for three before skipper Salman Ali Agha took charge, smashing back-to-back boundaries to keep the scoreboard moving. Eleven runs came off the over as Pakistan reached 38/1 after four. 

Aryan Dutt continued, and Farhan shifted gears with a boundary followed by a six. Salman joined the party with another four, bringing up Pakistan's fifty in quick time. But Dutt hit back immediately. Levitt took a safe catch to remove the Pakistani captain, and a fired-up Dutt celebrated as Salman departed for 12 off just eight balls. 

Babar Azam walked in and saw off the final delivery of the over, with Pakistan at 53/2 after five. 

Logan van Beek returned for the last over of the powerplay. Farhan launched a towering six and added a single, surviving a risky run and a sharp yorker that struck his boot. 

Eight runs came off it, taking Pakistan to 61/2 at the end of the powerplay.
13:02

Dutt strikes! Ayub falls after fiery 24

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Pakistan 27-1 (3 Ovs) vs Netherlands 147 | SCORECARD

Sahibzada Farhan and Saim Ayub walked out to chase 148, with Aryan Dutt opening the bowling. 

Farhan got off the mark with a single before Ayub announced his intent, launching a massive six. A couple more runs made it nine off the first over. 

Logan van Beek came on next, but Ayub kept attacking, smashing three consecutive boundaries as Pakistan raced to 22/0 after two overs. 

Farhan rotated strike with a sweep for one, while Ayub added another boundary. However, the aggressive start was cut short when he miscued a no-look shot straight to Roelof van der Merwe at mid-on. Dutt struck the breakthrough as Ayub departed for a brisk 24 off 13 balls. 

After three overs, Pakistan were 27/1, needing 121 runs from 102 balls.
12:36

Pakistan bowl Netherlands out for 147

Netherlands 147 all out (19.5 Ovs) vs Pak | SCORECARD

Abrar Ahmed kept things tight, conceding just five runs in a tidy over to pile the pressure on the Dutch batters.

Shaheen Afridi returned and struck immediately. A pinpoint yorker forced Roelof van der Merwe into a miscued shot, with Salman Agha completing a sharp catch. Van der Merwe fell for 4 off 9 balls. Kyle Klein got off the mark with a single, while Aryan Dutt finished the over with a boundary. Five runs and a wicket came off it as Netherlands moved to 144/8 after 19 overs. 

Salman Mirza took the ball for the final over. Klein flicked one for a single before Mirza banged in a sharp bouncer that Dutt missed. A couple followed, but Faheem Ashraf saved a certain boundary with a fine stop. Then came the finish. Dutt holed out to Sahibzada Farhan for 13 off 8, and moments later Paul van Meekeren edged behind for a duck. 

Netherlands are bowled out for 147, with Pakistan's disciplined bowling and sharp fielding sealing a strong comeback at the death.
12:23

Pakistan rip through Netherlands

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Netherlands 134-7 (17 Ovs) vs Pak | SCORECARD

Scott Edwards and Bas de Leede kept the scoreboard ticking with positive intent as the Netherlands rebuilt steadily. At the halfway mark, they were 79/3, moving to 94/3 after 12 overs. 

Mohammad Nawaz then broke the stand. Edwards smashed him for six, but de Leede's counter ended soon after, holing out to long-off where Babar Azam completed a simple catch. De Leede fell for 30 off 25 balls. 

Zach Lion-Cachet walked in, while Shadab Khan nearly had Edwards but spilled a return catch. The Dutch pushed on to 112/4 after 14 overs and 123/4 after 15. 

Abrar Ahmed struck next, removing the well-set Edwards for 37 off 29, caught at long leg attempting a slog sweep. Netherlands slipped to 127/5.

The collapse gathered pace in the death overs. Saim Ayub dismissed Van Beek for a duck and then had Lion-Cachet caught at deep midwicket. Two wickets in four balls pegged the Dutch back hard. 

Aryan Dutt managed a late boundary, but after 17 overs, Netherlands were tottering at 134/7.
11:46

Abrar strikes! Netherlands 3 down

Netherlands 65-3 (8 Ovs) vs Pak | SCORECARD

Salman Mirza continues. Ackermann welcomes him with a crisp boundary first ball. A dot follows, but he finds the ropes again soon after. The Dutch keep the pressure on -- a bouncer flies over Ackermann's head for a wide, before Bas de Leede finishes the over with another boundary. Fourteen runs come off it. At the end of the powerplay, Netherlands are 50/2. 

Shadab Khan comes on after the field restrictions are lifted. Ackermann and de Leede look positive, rotating strike and picking gaps. Eight runs from the over take Netherlands to 58/2 after seven. 

Change in bowling -- Abrar Ahmed into the attack. The batters start cautiously with singles before Ackermann makes room and slams a boundary through the off side. Bowled! Abrar strikes! Ackermann stays deep in his crease and looks to flick through midwicket, but gets a faint inside edge onto the stumps. Abrar is pumped -- a wicket in his very first over of his maiden T20 World Cup. Ackermann departs for 20 off 14 balls. 

Seven runs and a wicket from the over. After eight overs, Netherlands are 65/3.
11:30

Netherlands lose 2 quick wickets

Netherlands 36-2 (5 Ovs) vs Pak | SCORECARD

Mohammad Nawaz is introduced into the attack. Levitt drives to cover for no run, looking to keep the pressure on. 

Caught! What a catch from Pakistan! Levitt looks to go big but miscues it towards long-off. Babar Azam sprints to his right, takes it cleanly with both hands, but realises his momentum is carrying him over the boundary. Thinking quickly, he lobs the ball back into play just before stepping on the rope. Shaheen Afridi, charging in from mid-on, completes the relay catch safely. A brilliant piece of teamwork and athleticism from Pakistan. Babar is pumped, and his teammates rush in to celebrate. 

Michael Levitt departs for a quickfire 24 off 15 balls. 

Colin Ackermann walks in next.
11:23

Breakthrough for Pak! O'Dowd departs early

Netherlands 31-1 (4 Ovs) vs Pak | SCORECARD

World Cup begins! 

After the national anthems, Pakistan huddle up while Dutch openers Michael Levitt and Max O'Dowd stride out to the middle. Shaheen Afridi has the new ball in hand. 

Levitt gets going immediately with a boundary, flashing away from the body. A swing and a miss follows, before he nudges one to point for a single. O'Dowd joins the party with a boundary of his own as nine runs come off the first over. 

Salman Mirza takes charge from the other end. Levitt continues confidently with another boundary, though the over is tighter overall -- just five runs. After two overs, Netherlands are 14/0. 

Afridi returns, but Levitt shows no respect. A crisp boundary, a mistimed yorker turned into a couple, and then a towering six over the ropes. Fourteen runs flow from the over as Netherlands race to 28/0 after three.

Breakthrough! Mirza strikes. The ball goes high, the keeper sprints across towards square leg, calls for it, and dives forward to pouch a superb catch with both gloves. A brilliant take under pressure. Max O'Dowd departs for 5 off 7 balls. 

Bas de Leede walks in next. After four overs, Netherlands are 31/1.
10:56

Here are the playing XIs

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Here are the playing XIs

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Agha(c), Babar Azam, Usman Khan(w), Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Netherlands: Michael Levitt, Max ODowd, Bas de Leede, Colin Ackermann, Scott Edwards(w/c), Zach Lion Cachet, Logan van Beek, Roelof van der Merwe, Aryan Dutt, Kyle Klein, Paul van Meekeren
10:43

Pak win toss, opt to bowl vs Netherlands


Pakistan win the toss and opt to field. Captain Agha called heads, and it paid off. 

Salman Ali Agha said, "We'll look to field first and use any moisture. Playing three seamers against a strong side, we aim to execute our plans."

Scott Edwards said, "We'd have bowled first too, but we're happy to bat. With four matches, you need to win three. After a month and a half in India and Sri Lanka, we have plenty of all-rounders and options in both batting and bowling."
10:00

Pak aim to focus on wins amid India boycott

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The T20 World Cup kicks off with 2009 champions Pakistan facing the Netherlands at Colombo's Sinhalese Sports Club. 

Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha says the team will block out off-field noise surrounding their planned boycott of the India match and concentrate on winning the remaining group games to reach the T20 World Cup Super Eight stage. 

Pakistan, 2009 champions, decided to skip the February 15 clash against India in solidarity with Bangladesh, who were replaced by Scotland after refusing to travel over security concerns. 

"By just avoiding that. It's something we don't really talk about and don't see outside in the group. The best we can do is focus on our game,' Salman said.

Dutch opener Max O'Dowd said the boycott is irrelevant to his team. 

"We focus on what we need to do tomorrow, which is to try and beat Pakistan. We have three very important games coming up, so we play what's in front of us," he said.

Pakistan will rely on a variety of spinners, including left-arm orthodox Mohammed Nawaz, leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, off-spinner Saim Ayub, and the surprise side-arm off-spin of Usman Tariq. 

To reach the Super Eights, they must win all three remaining matches, starting with the Netherlands.